Environment | Bloomberg Philanthropies
Environment
Taking action to protect the planet
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Environment program is at the forefront of efforts to protect the environment across a key array of issues, from advancing clean energy and reducing pollution in cities, to preserving ocean ecosystems.
These programs accelerate progress on the most serious threats to our environment by focusing on a set of critical challenges and by supporting emerging initiatives and the work of leaders in the field. Through these programs, Bloomberg Philanthropies is taking bold action to protect the environment.
Advancing Clean Energy
Pollution is
worsening health outcomes like asthma, increasing the frequency of extreme fires and floods, and imposing rising economic costs on communities worldwide.
Fortunately, cheaper, emissions-free renewable alternatives are available.
With support from local, national, and business leaders, these clean energy sources can also drive job growth and strengthen local economies.
Improving Air Quality
Using data-driven strategies, Bloomberg Philanthropies works in key geographies around the world to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
Air pollution is a major threat to public health everywhere. Poor air quality creates and exacerbates respiratory conditions and other health concerns that impact the daily lives of millions of people.
Top photo: Mike Bloomberg joins Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to unveil a partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies and the city of Paris to improve air quality and better understand pollution patterns throughout the city.
Protecting the Ocean
Billions of people and countless marine species depend on a healthy ocean, but this critical resource is increasingly threatened by pollution, overfishing, and other pressures.
Launched in 2014, the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative partners with coastal communities, leading nonprofits, governments, and research institutions to advance data-driven solutions that protect marine ecosystems and build ocean resilience.
Near-shore fishermen on the coast of Barra de Lagoa, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Photo credit: Bento Viana Photography and Oceana
Supporting Sustainable Cities
Cities are on the frontlines of today’s most pressing challenges — from pollution and public health to energy access and economic resilience. Home to the majority of the world’s population, cities face the greatest environmental threats, yet they remain powerful engines of innovation and opportunity.
Bloomberg Philanthropies partners with cities and city networks around the world to help equip local leaders and partners with the tools, data, and other support needed to reduce pollution, improve quality of life, and deliver economic opportunity through a transition to clean energy and infrastructure solutions.
An electric bus on a road in Kolkata, India. Photo credit: Subrata Biswas/AP Images for C40 Cities
Driving Sustainable Finance
Bloomberg Philanthropies supports a wide array of efforts to mobilize the private sector to accelerate the
transition.
These efforts aim to
mobilize capital, remove investment barriers,
build
capacity
and expand access to tools and data
— especially in
emerging
markets and developing
economies.
Contractors install SunRun Inc. solar panels on the roof of a new home at the Westline Homes Willowood Cottages community in Sacramento, California. Photo credit: David Paul Morris
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Bloomberg Philanthropies at COP
As UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, Mike Bloomberg has long been committed to advancing solutions at the annual UN Climate Conference, also known as the Conference of Parties or COP.
At every COP, Bloomberg Philanthropies helps bring together influential change makers and leaders from across government, business, finance, technology, media, and the arts to showcase solutions, accelerate collaboration, and drive progress to protect the planet.
COP30 in Brazil
In partnership with the COP30 Presidency, Bloomberg Philanthropies convened leaders from November 3–5, 2025 ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil.
Together, we’re working to make COP30 a catalyst for collaboration — connecting local action, business leadership, and finance.
COP30 Local Leaders Forum
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Showcasing how cities, states, and regions are driving global climate progress.
Explore the details
COP30 Business and Finance Forum
São Paulo, Brazil
Uniting leaders across sectors to scale solutions and mobilize capital for resilience and economic growth.
Explore the details
Climate Book and Films
Mike Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies have made raising awareness about the urgency of the protecting the planet an utmost priority, working with key partners to publish a book and release two documentaries that address environmental issues: bestseller
Climate of Hope
with former executive director of the Sierra Club Carl Pope, and documentaries
From the Ashes
and
Paris to Pittsburgh
with National Geographic Documentary Films and RadicalMedia.
A scene of the solar farm at Farmers Electric Cooperative in Kalona, Iowa from the film "Paris to Pittsburgh."
Top photo: Mike Bloomberg joins Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to announce the potential impact of the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge. With Bloomberg Philanthropies funding, Orlando will expand community solar programs and grow other renewable energy projects in the city.
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